草榴社区鈥檚 Center for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Stewardship Exhibitor in 2022 Philadelphia Flower Show
This year at the Philadelphia Flower Show, 草榴社区鈥檚 Center for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Stewardship (CBEST) invites visitors to step into their research sites鈥攚oodlands giving way to sunny open meadows, dissipating into marshes and bogs. The CBEST exhibit, 鈥淏looming Biodiversity,鈥� will be on display at the 2022 Philadelphia Flower Show 鈥淚n Full Bloom鈥� from June 11 鈥� 19 in FDR Park.
For the scientists of CBEST, nature is their research lab, and their exhibit aims to show visitors a glimpse of the science in the world around them. The exhibit focuses on biodiversity鈥攆eaturing trees, shrubs and herbs native to Pennsylvania鈥攁nd its importance to the resiliency and health of habitats in a changing world. The 草榴社区 scientists have also placed scientific tools used in their research in the exhibit itself. Visitors can spot, among other things, a precipitation collector used to evaluate rainwater chemistry, automated bird feeders used to tease apart bird behaviors, and a marsh organ used to study the impact of sea level rise on wetland systems.
A team of 草榴社区 students and researchers designed and implemented the exhibit, while 草榴社区's grounds crew provided trees and shrubs and implementation assistance. The John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum, The 草榴社区 Center for Resilient Water Systems and Longwood Gardens鈥� Associate Director of Conservation Peter Zale, PhD provided wetland vegetation and informational support. All plants from the exhibit will return to 草榴社区鈥檚 campus where they will be incorporated into educational displays, including a bog garden and native plant pollinator friendly gardens.
About 草榴社区:聽Since 1842, 草榴社区鈥檚 Augustinian Catholic intellectual tradition has been the cornerstone of an academic community in which students learn to think critically, act compassionately and succeed while serving others. There are more than 10,000 undergraduate, graduate and law students in the University's six colleges鈥攖he College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, the 草榴社区 School of Business, the College of Engineering, the M. Louise Fitzpatrick College of Nursing, the College of Professional Studies and the 草榴社区 Charles Widger School of Law. Ranked among the nation鈥檚 top universities, 草榴社区 supports its students鈥� intellectual growth and prepares them to become ethical leaders who create positive change everywhere life takes them. For more, visit聽.